Barbara Bush Foundation Awards $600,000+ in New Grants

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2009 — The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced today that its prestigious National Grant Program is awarding a total of $634,070 to 10 nonprofit organizations, public school districts, and other agencies across the United States to improve the literacy skills of parents and their children. Since its inception in 1989, the Foundation has awarded nearly $32 million to 730 family literacy programs in 50 states, including the nation’s capital.

"I truly believe that being able to read, write, and comprehend are the keys to a successful and happy life," said Barbara Bush. "And a literate society is important to keeping our country strong and safe. Our goal, and what these grants provide for, is to send children reading-ready to their first day of school, and to equip parents with the literacy tools they need for success. There is no greater opportunity for quality time between parent and child than reading together."

Ranging in size from $50,000 to $65,000 each, the 10 grants will support the development or expansion of family literacy programs in California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Through a rigorous review process, recipients were selected from over 300 proposals submitted by a wide range of private, nonprofit and public institutions including libraries, correctional facilities, universities, housing projects, and public schools.

The 2009 National Grant Program recipients will be announced at the Barbara Bush Foundation's 15th annual fundraising event, A Celebration of Reading, which will be held on April 23, 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, TX. The evening, hosted by George and Barbara Bush, will feature best-selling authors Ted Bell, Cherie Blair, Christopher Buckley, and Sara Gruen as well as other surprise guests.

In addition to the National Grant Program, the Foundation also has statewide family literacy initiatives in Maine, Texas, Florida, and Maryland. These four initiatives currently are completing their respective grant reviews, and will announce their 2009 grants by June.